US6283737B1 - Oiless rotary scroll air compressor antirotation assembly - Google Patents

Oiless rotary scroll air compressor antirotation assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US6283737B1
US6283737B1 US09/584,711 US58471100A US6283737B1 US 6283737 B1 US6283737 B1 US 6283737B1 US 58471100 A US58471100 A US 58471100A US 6283737 B1 US6283737 B1 US 6283737B1
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United States
Prior art keywords
stationary
central axis
scroll element
bearing
scroll
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Expired - Fee Related
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US09/584,711
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English (en)
Inventor
Michael V. Kazakis
Charlie E. Jones
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Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp
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Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp
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Assigned to WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORP. reassignment WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JONES, CHARLIE E., KAZAKIS, MICHAEL V.
Priority to US09/584,711 priority Critical patent/US6283737B1/en
Priority to CA002326307A priority patent/CA2326307C/en
Priority to AU31330/01A priority patent/AU3133001A/en
Priority to ZA200102877A priority patent/ZA200102877B/xx
Priority to BR0101636-9A priority patent/BR0101636A/pt
Priority to EP01111940A priority patent/EP1160458A3/en
Priority to MXPA01005263A priority patent/MXPA01005263A/es
Priority to JP2001161860A priority patent/JP3767681B2/ja
Publication of US6283737B1 publication Critical patent/US6283737B1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04C18/00—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
    • F04C18/02—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents
    • F04C18/0207—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents both members having co-operating elements in spiral form
    • F04C18/0215—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents both members having co-operating elements in spiral form where only one member is moving
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01C17/00—Arrangements for drive of co-operating members, e.g. for rotary piston and casing
    • F01C17/06—Arrangements for drive of co-operating members, e.g. for rotary piston and casing using cranks, universal joints or similar elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, in general, to scroll compressors which are used to compress a fluid, for example, a gas such as a refrigerant for cooling purposes or ambient air in order to furnish a compressed air supply.
  • a fluid for example, a gas such as a refrigerant for cooling purposes or ambient air in order to furnish a compressed air supply.
  • the present invention relates to an anti-rotation device for such an oiless rotary scroll compressor.
  • a refrigerant scroll compressor utilizes an oil sump located in the lowermost portion of the compressor housing and an oil pump which draws oil from the sump upward to lubricate the moving parts of the compressor.
  • the oil used as a lubricant in such a design is relatively free to mix with the air which is being compressed.
  • Lubricating oil which becomes suspended in the refrigerant is, for the most part, separated therefrom by changing the direction of flow of the refrigerant and by impinging the refrigerant on surfaces located within the compressor. After it is separated, the oil is then drained back to the oil sump.
  • the compressed gas exiting the scroll compressor may still have a relatively high degree of oil content.
  • oil content may carry over to the compressed gas supply system and have deleterious effects such as reduced life of air driven mechanisms (e.g., air driven tools, brakes, etc.) which utilize the compressed gas supply as a power source.
  • One object of the present invention is the provision of a rotary scroll compressor which is “oiless” in the sense that the lubricant used to lubricate the various moving parts of the compressor is not intermingled with the gas being compressed.
  • a rotary scroll compressor which is “oiless” in the sense that the lubricant used to lubricate the various moving parts of the compressor is not intermingled with the gas being compressed.
  • Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and inventive anti-rotation device for such an oiless rotary scroll compressor which serves to positively maintain the orbiting scroll element in a non-rotational aspect with respect to the stationary scroll element while, at the same time, permitting the orbiting scroll element to execute an orbit about the stationary scroll element, whereby the compression effect of a scroll compressor is achieved.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of such an anti-rotation device for an oiless rotary scroll compressor which allows for a smooth and precise non-rotational orbit of the orbiting scroll element about the stationary scroll element.
  • a further object of the present invention is the provision of such an anti-rotation device for an oiless rotary scroll compressor Which is easy to lubricate and maintain.
  • the invention generally features an anti-rotation device for a scroll compressor, the scroll compressor including a housing, a stationary scroll element mounted within the housing substantially stationary with respect to the housing, the stationary scroll element including a stationary spiral flange, an orbiting scroll element disposed within the housing, the orbiting scroll element including an orbiting spiral flange, the stationary and orbiting spiral flanges being intermeshed and nested with one another to define a spiraling compression pocket therebetween, each of the stationary and orbiting scroll elements having a substantially central axis, and an orbital drive mechanism for driving the central axis of the orbiting scroll element in an orbit at a radius or orbit about the central axis of the stationary scroll element, the anti-rotation device including at least one anti-rotation bearing assembly for maintaining the orbiting scroll element substantially non-rotational with respect to the stationary scroll element during the orbit of the orbiting scroll element about the stationary scroll element, the at least one anti-rotation bearing assembly including a first bearing element mounted substantially stationary with respect to the stationary scroll element, a second bearing
  • the invention generally features an improvement in a scroll compressor of the type described, the improvement including an improved anti-rotation device including a first bearing element mounted substantially stationary with respect to the stationary scroll element, a second bearing element mounted on the orbiting scroll element, and an offset crank member, the offset crank member including a first shaft portion rotatably engaging the first bearing element mounted substantially stationary with respect to the stationary scroll and a second shaft portion rotatably engaging the second bearing element mounted on the orbiting scroll element, the first and second shaft portions of the offset crank member being separated from one another by a radially offset distance.
  • an improved anti-rotation device including a first bearing element mounted substantially stationary with respect to the stationary scroll element, a second bearing element mounted on the orbiting scroll element, and an offset crank member, the offset crank member including a first shaft portion rotatably engaging the first bearing element mounted substantially stationary with respect to the stationary scroll and a second shaft portion rotatably engaging the second bearing element mounted on the orbiting scroll element, the first and second shaft portions of the offset crank member being separated from one another by a
  • the invention generally features a scroll compressor including an anti-rotation device, the scroll compressor including a housing, a stationary scroll element mounted within the housing substantially stationary with respect to the housing, the stationary scroll element including a stationary spiral flange, an orbiting scroll element disposed within the housing, the orbiting scroll element including an orbiting spiral flange, the stationary and orbiting spiral flanges being intermeshed and nested with one another to define a spiraling compression pocket therebetween, each of the stationary and orbiting scroll elements having a substantially central axis, an orbital drive mechanism for driving the central axis of the orbiting scroll element in an orbit at a radius of orbit about the central axis of the stationary scroll element and an anti-rotation device for maintaining the orbiting scroll element substantially non-rotational with respect to the stationary scroll element during orbiting of the central axis of the orbiting scroll element about the central axis of the stationary scroll element, the anti-rotation device including at least one anti-rotation bearing assembly for interconnecting the orbiting scroll element to and positioning the
  • FIG. 1 is perspective view of an oiless rotary scroll compressor, constructed according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the inventive oiless rotary scroll compressor.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevational view of the inventive oiless rotary scroll compressor.
  • FIG. 4 is another cross sectional elevational view of the inventive oiless rotary scroll compressor, taken along a section rotated approximately 90 ⁇ from the section of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional plan view of the inventive oiless rotary scroll compressor.
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of a crankshaft used in the inventive oiless rotary scroll compressor.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross sectional elevational view of the crankshaft of FIG. 6 .
  • FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of an anti-rotation assembly employed in the inventive oiless rotary scroll compressor.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the anti-rotation assembly of FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 10 is a cross sectional elevational view of an angular contact bearing assembly which is preferably utilized in the anti-rotation assembly of FIGS. 8 and 9.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view through an orbiting spiral flange and a stationary spiral flange of the inventive oiless rotary scroll compressor, showing a novel tipseal assembly for providing a substantially airtight seal therebetween.
  • FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a tipseal element utilized in the tipseal assembly of FIG. 11 .
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the elevational cross section of FIG. 4, most particularly showing an air inlet valve assembly used to provide ambient air to be compressed to the inventive oiless rotary scroll compressor;
  • FIG. 14 is a cross sectional elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the air inlet valve assembly.
  • FIG. 15 is an exploded isometric view of the alternative air inlet assembly of FIG. 14 .
  • a scroll compressor constructed according to the present invention and generally designated by reference numeral 10 generally includes a bearing cap 12 , a crankshaft 14 positioned within the bearing cap 12 and a stationary scroll 16 .
  • the stationary scroll 16 is bolted to the bearing cap 12 through a circular arrangement of bolts 18 with associated washers, lockwashers, etc.
  • the stationary scroll 16 itself is provided with a series of radially extending fins 20 to improve the dissipation of heat therefrom.
  • the radially extending fins 20 are preferably provided in the form of a separate bolt-on heat sink.
  • the radially extending fins 20 could, however, be furnished integral with the stationary scroll 16 .
  • a hood 22 substantially covers the fins 20 and is provided with a forced air intake 24 through which ambient air is preferably forced toward the stationary scroll 16 and fins 20 to aid in heat dissipation. This forced air escapes through a central aperture 26 and through openings 28 and 30 provided about the periphery of the hood 22 .
  • the central aperture 26 also provides clearance for a compressed air discharge port 32 located in the center of the stationary scroll 16
  • the peripheral opening 30 additionally provides clearance for an air inlet valve assembly 34 disposed on a peripheral portion of the stationary scroll 16 .
  • the crankshaft 14 is rotationally driven within the bearing cap 12 by a rotational power source of choice.
  • a rotational power source of choice For example, when the scroll compressor 10 is to be employed to supply compressed air for a pneumatic braking system of a diesel or electric rail transportation vehicle (e.g., a train or light rail vehicle), the crankshaft 14 will typically be rotationally driven by an electric motor.
  • the crankshaft 14 in turn drives an orbiting scroll element 36 in an orbital motion within the bearing cap 12 .
  • the orbiting scroll element 36 meshes with a stationary scroll element 37 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) which is preferably formed integrally with the stationary scroll 16 and is described more fully below.
  • the mechanism by which the orbiting scroll element 36 is driven in such orbital fashion is more clearly shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 , to which we now turn.
  • the crankshaft 14 includes an elongated shaft portion 38 having a central axis of rotation 40 about which the crankshaft 14 is rotationally driven by the power source of choice.
  • An orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 is affixed to a first distal end of the crankshaft 14 adjacent the orbiting scroll element 36 .
  • this first distal end of the crankshaft adjacent the orbiting scroll element 36 is provided with a recessed cup portion 44 formed integrally thereon, and the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 is disposed within the recessed cup portion 44 .
  • the orbiting scroll element 36 also has a central axis 46 and is provided with a hub portion 48 which projects along this central axis 46 into the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 to thereby rotationally engage the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 .
  • the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 is positioned such that it is radially offset from the central axis of rotation of the crankshaft by a distance r, with the result that the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 , the hub portion 48 and the orbiting scroll element 36 itself are all driven by the crankshaft 14 in an orbital motion having a radius of orbit equal to r about the central axis 40 of the crankshaft 14 .
  • the crankshaft 14 is provided with a lubricating channel 50 which extends from its second and opposite distal end to a point adjacent the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 .
  • the lubricating channel 50 extends along the central axis 40 of the crankshaft member 14 to the recessed cup portion 44 . Provision of the lubricating channel 50 allows the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 to be lubricated from a readily accessible single vantage point, namely, the second distal end of the crankshaft 14 , during maintenance.
  • the lubricating channel 50 also serves another function during assembly of the scroll compressor 10 . More particularly, during assembly, the hub portion 48 of the orbiting scroll element 36 enters the orbiting bearing 42 . During this step, the lubricating channel 50 serves as a vent, allowing any air that would be otherwise trapped to be vented.
  • the crankshaft 14 is additionally preferably furnished with a counterweight portion 52 that extends radially from the shaft portion 38 in a direction opposite to the radial offset r of the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 from the central axis 40 of the crankshaft 14 .
  • the crankshaft 14 is rotationally mounted within the bearing cap 12 through the provision of a main crankshaft bearing 54 and a rear crankshaft bearing 56 .
  • the main crankshaft bearing 54 rotationally engages the shaft portion 38 at a point that is between the first distal end near the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 and the second distal end of the crankshaft 14
  • the rear crankshaft bearing 56 rotationally engages the shaft portion 38 at a point that is between the main crankshaft bearing 54 and the second distal end of the crankshaft 14 .
  • Both of the main and rear crankshaft bearings 54 and 56 may be, for example, of a caged roller bearing design or a caged ball bearing design.
  • the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 may be only of a caged roller bearing design.
  • the main crankshaft bearing 54 is preferably positioned within the bearing cap 12 by a main bearing sleeve 58 having a radially inwardly extending lip 60 .
  • a rear bearing sleeve 62 similarly serves to position the rear crankshaft bearing 56 within the bearing cap 12 .
  • a crankshaft locknut member 63 urges a crankshaft lockwasher member 64 into contact with a rear surface of the crankshaft rear bearing 56 .
  • the rear bearing sleeve 62 is provided with an inwardly extending ledge 65 .
  • a snap ring 67 (shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 7) snaps into an groove encircling the exterior face of the rear crankshaft bearing 56 .
  • the snap ring 67 limits axial movement of the crankshaft 14 in an upward direction (as seen in FIG. 4 ), thereby locking the crankshaft axially within the bearing cap 12 .
  • the recessed cup portion 44 is provided with an annular ledge 66 spaced away from the bottom of the recessed cup portion 44 .
  • the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 rests on this annular ledge 66 to thus create a lubrication reservoir 68 beneath the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 , the lubrication reservoir 68 being connected to the lubrication channel 50 .
  • An orbiting seal 43 overlays the orbiting cylindrical bearing 42 within the recessed cup portion 44 .
  • the orbiting scroll element 36 includes an orbiting base member 70 and an orbiting spiral flange 72 projecting outward therefrom.
  • the stationary scroll 16 is in turn provided with a preferably integrally formed stationary spiral flange 74 which projects outward from the stationary scroll 16 and has a common central axis 40 with the crankshaft 14 .
  • the stationary and orbiting spiral flanges 74 and 72 are intermeshed and nested with one another.
  • the compression mechanics may be difficult to visualize. However, for those of ordinary skill in the scroll-type compressor arts, the compression mechanics are well understood.
  • the stationary scroll flange 74 being affixed to or an integrally formed portion of the stationary scroll 16 , is maintained stationary.
  • the orbiting scroll flange 72 executes an orbit of radius r with respect to the stationary scroll flange 74 and, during such orbiting motion, is maintained substantially non-rotational with respect to the stationary scroll flange 74 .
  • the orbiting motion which causes compression can be best described as an orbiting of the z(orbiting) central axis 46 about the z(stationary) central axis 40 , while the remaining x and y axes of the stationary and orbiting spiral flanges remain in a parallel relationship to one another.
  • the orbiting motion is accomplished with substantially no relative rotational motion occurring between the orbiting spiral flange 72 and the stationary spiral flange 74 .
  • each of the stationary and orbiting spiral flanges 74 and 72 is provided with somewhat over three revolutions.
  • each of the stationary and orbiting spiral flanges 74 and 72 extends over an arc of about 1350°, i.e., about 33 ⁇ 4 revolutions.
  • the orbiting spiral flange 72 has a radially outward terminus portion 78 .
  • a progressively wider gap is formed into which low pressure air is introduced from a generally peripherally located suction region 80 .
  • this gap is eventually closed by the contact of the terminus portion 78 with the corresponding portion of the stationary spiral flange 74 .
  • the described action forms a compression pocket which spirals inward toward the centrally located compressed air output 76 during successive orbits of the orbiting spiral flange 72 .
  • Two successive compression pockets are generally designated as 82 and 84 in FIG. 5, with the more radially inward compression pocket 84 being more highly compressed than the more radially outward compression pocket 82 .
  • the scroll compressor 10 is additionally provided with an anti-rotation device 90 most clearly seen in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9 , to which we now turn.
  • the bearing cap 12 is provided with a bearing face portion 86 (seen in FIGS. 2 , 3 , 4 and 9 ) which is formed as a semi-annular ledge projecting radially inward from the interior surface of the bearing cap 12 .
  • the bearing face portion 86 is provided with a cutout 88 (seen in FIG. 2) in order to provide clearance for the counterweight portion 52 of the crankshaft 14 during assembly/disassembly.
  • Three anti-rotation assembly assemblies 90 are arranged equidistant from and preferably equally angularly spaced around the common central axis 40 of the stationary scroll element 37 and the crankshaft 14 .
  • the three anti-rotation assembly assemblies 90 are preferably spaced at angular intervals of 120°.
  • each of the anti-rotation assembly assemblies 90 is radially spaced outward from the common central axis 40 of the crankshaft 14 and the stationary scroll element 37 at a distance R which is preferably substantially equal to about 5 inches.
  • Each anti-rotation assembly 90 includes a first rotational bearing 92 which is mounted fixedly and stationary with respect to the stationary scroll element 37 , preferably in a the bearing face portion 86 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9) and a second rotational bearing 94 which is mounted fixedly on the orbiting scroll element 36 .
  • each first rotational bearing 92 is disposed in a first cavity 96 provided in the bearing face portion 86
  • each second rotational bearing 94 resides in a corresponding second cavity 98 provided in the orbiting scroll element 36 .
  • Each anti-rotation assembly 90 further includes an offset crank member 100 having a first shaft portion 102 which engages the first rotational bearing 92 and a second conically tapered shaft portion 104 which engages a similarly conically tapered cavity 110 provided in a bushing member 106 which rotationally engages the second rotational bearing 94 .
  • the first and second shaft portions 102 and 104 are aligned substantially in parallel to one another and are separated by a radially offset distance r which is substantially equal to the radial offset r between the central axis 46 of the orbiting scroll element 36 and the common central axis 40 of the stationary scroll element 37 and the crankshaft 14 , the distance r also being the radius of orbit of the orbiting scroll element 36 .
  • the present inventors have discovered that a particularly effective method for providing the engagement between the second shaft portion 104 of the offset crank member 100 and the second rotational bearing 94 is through the provision of the bushing member 106 which is itself non-rotationally engaged with the second shaft portion 104 but is rotationally engaged with the second rotational bearing 94 .
  • the second shaft portion 104 is provided with a conically tapered portion 108 which non-rotationally connects via a friction push fit with the similarly tapered cavity 110 provided in the bushing member 106 .
  • the non-tapered exterior periphery of the bushing 106 then rotationally mates with the second rotational bearing 94 .
  • the pressure that is built up exerts an axial force, that is a force acting parallel to the central axes 40 and 46 which tends to separate the stationary and orbiting spiral elements 37 and 36 , respectively, from one another.
  • an axial force that is a force acting parallel to the central axes 40 and 46 which tends to separate the stationary and orbiting spiral elements 37 and 36 , respectively, from one another.
  • FIG. 10 shows the second rotational bearing 94 being provided as an angular contact bearing assembly 112 and the positioning of the second rotational bearing 94 relative to the central axes 40 and 46 during one extreme of the rotational orbit.
  • the first rotational bearing 92 may be likewise provided in the form of a similar angular contact bearing assembly 112 .
  • both of the first and second rotational bearing components 92 and 94 are provided in the form of an angular contact bearing assembly 112 .
  • the angular contact bearing assemblies 112 which are preferably employed for the first and second rotational bearing components 92 and 94 , respectively, include at least one bearing surface 114 and/or 116 which projects a non-zero component parallel to the direction of the central axis 40 of the stationary scroll element 37 and parallel to the direction of the central axis 46 of the orbiting scroll element 36 , both central axes 40 and 46 being parallel to one another.
  • the angular contact bearing assemblies 112 are able to resist the above-noted axial forces generated during compression which tend to exert a separating force between the stationary and orbiting scroll elements 37 and 36 , respectively.
  • the angular contact bearing assemblies 112 employed are angular contact ball bearing assemblies and are of a single row configuration.
  • Such angular contact ball bearing assemblies are available commercially and are well known to those of ordinary skill in the mechanical arts.
  • Such angular contact ball bearing assemblies typically include two such bearing surfaces 114 and 116 which are angled so as to resist angular forces (i.e., having non-zero components in two orthogonal directions) applied thereto.
  • the scroll compressor 10 includes a lubrication apparatus 118 for allowing the rotational bearing components 92 and 94 to be periodically lubricated. Provision of the lubrication apparatus 118 allows for a longer life of the first and second rotational bearing components 92 and 94 , respectively. Utilizing sealed pre-lubricated bearings could necessitate a costly disassembly procedure for replacement of the bearings near the end of their rated life.
  • each of the first rotational bearing components 92 is fixedly mounted within the bearing cap 12 and wherein a lubrication channel portion is provided which interconnects the respective first and second rotational bearing components 92 and 94 , respectively.
  • a lubrication port 120 is disposed on the exterior surface of the bearing cap 12 adjacent each of the anti-rotation assembly assemblies 90 .
  • a lubrication channel 122 extends from each of the lubrication ports 120 to at least a point adjacent the first rotational bearing 92 of the associated anti-rotation assembly 90 .
  • a channel portion 124 passing through the offset crank member 100 extends the lubrication channel 122 so that it ultimately extends to another point adjacent the second rotational bearing 94 .
  • a lubricating agent e.g., grease
  • a lubricating agent introduced into the lubrication channel 122 through the lubrication port 120 lubricates the first rotational bearing 92 via the first cavity 96 provided in the bearing face portion 86 in which the first rotational bearing 92 is mounted. Additionally, the lubricating agent is conducted through the channel portion 124 in the offset crank member 100 to the second cavity 98 provided in the orbiting scroll element 36 , thereby lubricating the second rotational bearing 94 .
  • the orbiting spiral flange 72 and the stationary spiral flange 74 are nested and intermeshed with one another to form the spiraling compression pockets illustrated by the compression pockets 82 and 84 shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the present scroll compressor 10 employs a unique “tipseal” assembly 126 , generally illustrated in FIG. 3 and most particularly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, to which we now turn.
  • the orbiting spiral flange 72 projecting outward from the orbiting base member 70 of the orbiting scroll element 36 terminates in an end surface 128 which is positioned immediately adjacent to and opposes the stationary scroll 16 .
  • the stationary spiral flange 74 projecting outward from the stationary scroll 16 terminates in an end surface 130 which is positioned immediately adjacent to and opposes the orbiting base member 70 .
  • Each of the end surfaces 128 and 130 are provided with an inwardly extending groove 132 and 134 , respectively.
  • each of the grooves 132 and 134 extends substantially over the entire extent of the associated end surface 128 and 130 , respectively.
  • a compressible element 136 is disposed within the groove 132
  • another compressible element 138 is similarly disposed within groove 134 .
  • a first tipseal element 140 overlays compressible element 136
  • a second tipseal element 142 overlays compressible element 138 .
  • the depths of the grooves 132 and 134 , the heights of the compressible elements 136 and 138 and the heights of the tipseal elements 140 and 142 are all selectively chosen such that, with these components in their assembled configuration and with the compressible elements 136 and 138 in a substantially uncompressed state, each respective tipseal element 140 and 142 extends beyond the respective end surface 128 and 130 by a measurement ranging between about 0.018 inch and 0.022 inch. Stated another way, the combined height of the compressible element 136 and the tipseal element 140 exceeds the depth of the groove 132 by about 0.018 inch to about 0.022 inch when the compressible element 136 is in a substantially compressed state. Similarly, the combined height of the compressible element 138 and the tipseal element 142 exceeds the depth of the groove 134 by about 0.018 inch to about 0.022 inch when the compressible element 138 is in a substantially compressed state.
  • the compressible elements 136 and 138 When the scroll compressor is in its assembled state (for example, as shown in FIG. 3 ), the compressible elements 136 and 138 will become somewhat compressed such that they exert biasing forces on the respective tipseal elements 140 and 142 urging them into contact with the respective opposing surfaces of stationary scroll 16 and orbiting base member 70 to thereby form substantially airtight seals for the spiraling compression pockets (e.g., 82 and 84 ) formed between the nested and intermeshed stationary scroll element 37 and orbiting scroll element 36 .
  • the spiraling compression pockets e.g., 82 and 84
  • the present inventors have achieved good performance by providing the compressible elements 136 and 138 in the form of an elongated O-ring made of an elastomeric material, most preferably a silicone rubber material, and even more preferably a high temperature resistant O-ring material. Similarly, good performance has been achieved by furnishing the tipseal elements 140 and 142 in the form of a non-metallic substance, preferably a PTFE based product, and most preferably a fluorosint material.
  • FIGS. 4 and 13 - 15 The air inlet valve assembly 34 discussed briefly above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 is more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 13 - 15 , to which we now turn.
  • the air inlet valve assembly 34 is provided in order to conduct ambient air to the suction region 80 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 13) which is located generally peripherally around the orbiting and stationary spiral flanges 72 and 74 , respectively, and to also prevent any backward rotation of the orbiting scroll element 36 upon shut down of the power source which drives the crankshaft 14 .
  • an air inlet channel 144 connects the ambient environment located outside of the bearing cap 12 to the suction region 80 located within the bearing cap 12 .
  • the air inlet channel 144 preferably passes through the stationary scroll 16 .
  • a portion of the air inlet channel 144 is formed by an air inlet port 146 formed in the stationary scroll 16 .
  • the air inlet valve assembly 34 includes a valve piston 148 which is positioned within the air inlet channel 144 .
  • the valve piston 148 is moveable between a first position (shown in FIGS. 4, 13 and 14 ) wherein the valve piston 148 substantially blocks any flow through the air inlet channel 144 and a second position wherein the valve piston 148 substantially unblocks flow through the air inlet channel 144 .
  • the valve piston 148 is biased toward the first blocking position by a biasing member 150 .
  • the air inlet valve assembly 34 further includes a valve seat 152 which is mounted stationary with respect to the stationary scroll 16 , and the biasing member 150 urges the valve piston 148 into contact with the valve seat 152 thereby preventing flow past the valve piston 148 and substantially blocking the air intake channel 144 .
  • the valve seat 152 is disposed on the opposite side of the valve piston 148 from the suction region 80 , and therefore, the force exerted by the biasing member 150 is in a direction substantially away from the suction region 80 .
  • a valve housing 154 which connects to the stationary scroll 16 via bolts 156 .
  • the valve piston 148 is disposed within a valve cavity 158 that is formed within the valve housing 154 , and the valve seat 152 is provided as a surface formed within the valve cavity 158 enclosed by the valve housing 154 .
  • a valve stem 160 is connected to and extends from the valve housing 154 in the direction of the suction region 80 .
  • the valve piston 148 surrounds the valve stem 160 and is able to reciprocate in a sliding fashion thereon.
  • a first stop surface 162 is formed on the valve piston 148 .
  • a second stop surface 164 is formed on the valve stem 160 and is disposed between the first stop surface 162 formed on the valve piston 148 and the suction region 80 .
  • the biasing member 150 is preferably provided in the form of a coil spring 166 which encircles the valve stem 160 between the first stop surface 162 and the second stop surface 164 .
  • the valve piston 148 is able to slide along the valve stem 160 in the direction of the suction region 80 to admit ambient air to be compressed against the biasing force exerted by the coil spring 166 . Movement of the valve piston 148 in the direction of the suction region 80 is limited by contact of the first stop surface 162 provided on the valve piston 148 with the second stop surface 164 formed on the valve stem 160 .
  • FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the air inlet valve assembly 34 which functions in substantially the same manner as described above but which is provided with a somewhat differently configured air intake valve body 168 having an air intake conduit 170 extending therefrom.

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US09/584,711 2000-06-01 2000-06-01 Oiless rotary scroll air compressor antirotation assembly Expired - Fee Related US6283737B1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/584,711 US6283737B1 (en) 2000-06-01 2000-06-01 Oiless rotary scroll air compressor antirotation assembly
CA002326307A CA2326307C (en) 2000-06-01 2000-11-17 Oiless rotary scroll air compressor antirotation assembly
AU31330/01A AU3133001A (en) 2000-06-01 2001-03-27 Oiless rotary scroll air compressor antirotation assembly
ZA200102877A ZA200102877B (en) 2000-06-01 2001-04-06 Oiless rotary scroll air compressor antirotation assembly.
BR0101636-9A BR0101636A (pt) 2000-06-01 2001-04-27 Dispositivo anti-rotação para um compressor de ar de rolagem
EP01111940A EP1160458A3 (en) 2000-06-01 2001-05-08 Scroll compressor
MXPA01005263A MXPA01005263A (es) 2000-06-01 2001-05-25 Ensamble contra la rotacion de una compresora de aire espiral rotatoria sin lubricante.
JP2001161860A JP3767681B2 (ja) 2000-06-01 2001-05-30 スクロール圧縮機用の回転止め装置、スクロール圧縮機用の改良型回転止め装置、及び該回転止め装置を備えるスクロール圧縮機。

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JP (1) JP3767681B2 (pt)
AU (1) AU3133001A (pt)
BR (1) BR0101636A (pt)
CA (1) CA2326307C (pt)
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ZA (1) ZA200102877B (pt)

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US20040253122A1 (en) * 2003-06-10 2004-12-16 Gary Grochowski Endbell cylinder frame and housing for oil-free
US20110176948A1 (en) * 2010-01-16 2011-07-21 Shaffer Robert W Semi-hermetic scroll compressors, vacuum pumps, and expanders
US8794941B2 (en) 2010-08-30 2014-08-05 Oscomp Systems Inc. Compressor with liquid injection cooling
US9267504B2 (en) 2010-08-30 2016-02-23 Hicor Technologies, Inc. Compressor with liquid injection cooling
US10415389B2 (en) 2014-09-10 2019-09-17 Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. Scroll fluid machine with improved reliability and performance of components thereof
US10508543B2 (en) 2015-05-07 2019-12-17 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll device having a pressure plate
US10519815B2 (en) 2011-08-09 2019-12-31 Air Squared, Inc. Compact energy cycle construction utilizing some combination of a scroll type expander, pump, and compressor for operating according to a rankine, an organic rankine, heat pump or combined organic rankine and heat pump cycle
US10683865B2 (en) 2006-02-14 2020-06-16 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll type device incorporating spinning or co-rotating scrolls
US10865793B2 (en) 2016-12-06 2020-12-15 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll type device having liquid cooling through idler shafts
US11047389B2 (en) 2010-04-16 2021-06-29 Air Squared, Inc. Multi-stage scroll vacuum pumps and related scroll devices
US11067080B2 (en) 2018-07-17 2021-07-20 Air Squared, Inc. Low cost scroll compressor or vacuum pump
US11454241B2 (en) 2018-05-04 2022-09-27 Air Squared, Inc. Liquid cooling of fixed and orbiting scroll compressor, expander or vacuum pump
US11473572B2 (en) 2019-06-25 2022-10-18 Air Squared, Inc. Aftercooler for cooling compressed working fluid
US11530703B2 (en) 2018-07-18 2022-12-20 Air Squared, Inc. Orbiting scroll device lubrication
US11885328B2 (en) 2021-07-19 2024-01-30 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll device with an integrated cooling loop
US11898557B2 (en) 2020-11-30 2024-02-13 Air Squared, Inc. Liquid cooling of a scroll type compressor with liquid supply through the crankshaft
US11933299B2 (en) 2018-07-17 2024-03-19 Air Squared, Inc. Dual drive co-rotating spinning scroll compressor or expander

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EP0091544A2 (en) * 1980-03-18 1983-10-19 Sanden Corporation Movement synchronizing means for scroll-type fluid displacement apparatus
EP0038152A1 (en) * 1980-04-05 1981-10-21 Sanden Corporation Improvements in scroll-type fluid displacement apparatus
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US4609334A (en) * 1982-12-23 1986-09-02 Copeland Corporation Scroll-type machine with rotation controlling means and specific wrap shape
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US4938669A (en) * 1989-01-23 1990-07-03 Carrier Corporation Scroll compressor with axial compliancy
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US5342186A (en) * 1993-06-02 1994-08-30 General Motors Corporation Axial actuator for unloading an orbital scroll type fluid material handling machine
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Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040253122A1 (en) * 2003-06-10 2004-12-16 Gary Grochowski Endbell cylinder frame and housing for oil-free
US10683865B2 (en) 2006-02-14 2020-06-16 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll type device incorporating spinning or co-rotating scrolls
US20110176948A1 (en) * 2010-01-16 2011-07-21 Shaffer Robert W Semi-hermetic scroll compressors, vacuum pumps, and expanders
US8668479B2 (en) * 2010-01-16 2014-03-11 Air Squad, Inc. Semi-hermetic scroll compressors, vacuum pumps, and expanders
US11047389B2 (en) 2010-04-16 2021-06-29 Air Squared, Inc. Multi-stage scroll vacuum pumps and related scroll devices
US9719514B2 (en) 2010-08-30 2017-08-01 Hicor Technologies, Inc. Compressor
US8794941B2 (en) 2010-08-30 2014-08-05 Oscomp Systems Inc. Compressor with liquid injection cooling
US9856878B2 (en) 2010-08-30 2018-01-02 Hicor Technologies, Inc. Compressor with liquid injection cooling
US10962012B2 (en) 2010-08-30 2021-03-30 Hicor Technologies, Inc. Compressor with liquid injection cooling
US9267504B2 (en) 2010-08-30 2016-02-23 Hicor Technologies, Inc. Compressor with liquid injection cooling
US10774690B2 (en) 2011-08-09 2020-09-15 Air Squared, Inc. Compact energy cycle construction utilizing some combination of a scroll type expander, pump, and compressor for operating according to a rankine, an organic rankine, heat pump, or combined organic rankine and heat pump cycle
US10519815B2 (en) 2011-08-09 2019-12-31 Air Squared, Inc. Compact energy cycle construction utilizing some combination of a scroll type expander, pump, and compressor for operating according to a rankine, an organic rankine, heat pump or combined organic rankine and heat pump cycle
US10415389B2 (en) 2014-09-10 2019-09-17 Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. Scroll fluid machine with improved reliability and performance of components thereof
US10508543B2 (en) 2015-05-07 2019-12-17 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll device having a pressure plate
US11692550B2 (en) 2016-12-06 2023-07-04 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll type device having liquid cooling through idler shafts
US10865793B2 (en) 2016-12-06 2020-12-15 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll type device having liquid cooling through idler shafts
US11454241B2 (en) 2018-05-04 2022-09-27 Air Squared, Inc. Liquid cooling of fixed and orbiting scroll compressor, expander or vacuum pump
US11067080B2 (en) 2018-07-17 2021-07-20 Air Squared, Inc. Low cost scroll compressor or vacuum pump
US11933299B2 (en) 2018-07-17 2024-03-19 Air Squared, Inc. Dual drive co-rotating spinning scroll compressor or expander
US11530703B2 (en) 2018-07-18 2022-12-20 Air Squared, Inc. Orbiting scroll device lubrication
US11473572B2 (en) 2019-06-25 2022-10-18 Air Squared, Inc. Aftercooler for cooling compressed working fluid
US11898557B2 (en) 2020-11-30 2024-02-13 Air Squared, Inc. Liquid cooling of a scroll type compressor with liquid supply through the crankshaft
US11885328B2 (en) 2021-07-19 2024-01-30 Air Squared, Inc. Scroll device with an integrated cooling loop

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ZA200102877B (en) 2002-07-23
AU3133001A (en) 2001-12-06
BR0101636A (pt) 2002-04-23
CA2326307C (en) 2004-07-06
JP2002005045A (ja) 2002-01-09
EP1160458A2 (en) 2001-12-05
MXPA01005263A (es) 2005-06-17
JP3767681B2 (ja) 2006-04-19
EP1160458A3 (en) 2003-03-12
CA2326307A1 (en) 2001-12-01

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